Cops tighten noose around drunk drivers

The city traffic police department is not game for lowering its guard against rule violators. From the department’s perspective, the campaign it launched on January 1 to curb cases of drunk driving has yielded results.

The city traffic police department is not game for lowering its guard against rule violators. From the department’s perspective, the campaign it launched on January 1 to curb cases of drunk driving has yielded results.

Nearly 347 drivers have been challaned and 28 vehicles impounded till January 13. This is in comparison to 327 drivers being fined and 16 vehicles being impounded during the same period in 2012.

Senior traffic officials have been monitoring the campaign, which is being carried out from 8pm till midnight daily and is likely to continue till month-end. Nearly 30 vital spots in the city have been earmarked for the campaign.

As part of the measure, the police have set up barricades on arterial roads and motorists are inspected through alcometers (breath analysers). Checks are also being conducted at traffic signals and roundabouts.

ACP (traffic) Ravinder Tomar said, “Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous. Drivers with high blood alcohol content or concentration (BAC) are at an increased risk of car accidents, highway injuries and vehicular deaths. In winter, people tend to drink more. We also found that people consume liquor in parked cars and while driving.”

The offenders will be fined between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 and may face a jail term of 15 days. Vehicles that are impounded will only be released on the directions of the court, said the police.

As per Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (1988), if a driver is caught with an alcohol level exceeding 30 mg per 100ml of blood, he could face imprisonment up to six months or fine or both. For the subsequent offence, the jail term can go up to two years.